Kishore Saravanan, a 22-year-old medical student from Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, currently studying in Russia, allegedly sent a disturbing voice message to
his family on July 12. In the message, he expressed fears of being forcibly deployed to the Ukraine war front. Kishore was previously arrested by Russian authorities in 2023 in connection with an alleged drug case. However, his family now claims he is under illegal detention and is being pressured to join Russia's war effort. “He is being illegally detained and forced to fight in the war against Ukraine,” his parents allege, as they continue to urge the Indian government to intervene and ensure his safe return. In a significant move, MDMK MP Durai Vaiko on Monday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and submitted a letter signed by 68 Members of Parliament from 15 political parties, requesting immediate intervention. The letter seeks the Prime Minister’s help in securing the student’s release. Vaiko also met Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and “explained the gravity of the situation”, calling for urgent action from the Ministry of External Affairs. Separately, advocate AP Suryaprakasam has filed a habeas corpus petition in the Madras High Court, seeking directions to the Ministry of External Affairs to take appropriate steps for Kishore’s release. The petition is expected to be heard this week by a division bench comprising Justices MS Ramesh and V Lakshminarayanan.
